Somare takes a detour to avoid Australia

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Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has chartered
a private plane to fly from Port Moresby to New Caledonia today -
via Honiara and Vanuatu - to avoid travelling through Australia and
the chance of a security check at Brisbane airport.

A diplomatic row erupted after security staff forced him to
remove his shoes during a check at the airport last month.

PNG demanded an apology and has suspended parts of Australia's
$1.1 billion law-and-order aid program in response.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said Australia had tough
but "egalitarian" security precautions and refuses to apologise to
Sir Michael, who is revered in PNG as "the father of the
nation".

Sir Michael's office conceded today's flight would be longer and
more expensive than a commercial connection, but did not provide a
figure.

A spokesman confirmed Sir Michael originally planned to travel
through Brisbane, but "given the recent treatment he got there,
officials have arranged for him to go to Noumea by a different
route".

Sir Michael will also skip Brisbane on his return.

He is to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of
New Caledonia for his leadership in the Pacific region over the
past 30 years.